Ex-Iloilo Rep. Suplico indicted over P14-M unliquidated ‘pork’

The Office of the Ombudsman has found probable cause to charge former Iloilo Representative Rolex Suplico for graft over his alleged anomalous use of his Priority Development Assistance Fund or pork barrel in 2007.

In a resolution approved on January 8, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales approved the indictment of Suplico for one count of violation of Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

Co-accused in the case are then-Technology and Livelihood Resource Center (TLRC) director general Antonio Ortiz and AARON Foundation Philippines Inc. president Alfredo Ronquillo.

Based on the information of the case, Suplico received P14.7 million in PDAF on May 4 which he transferred to TLRC, the implementing agency of livelihood and development projects intended for Iloilo's fifth district.

AARON was then tapped as non-government organization-partner for the implementation of the project.

Suplico’s PDAF, however, remains unliquidated, according to the Commission on Audit.

The Ombudsman said COA also reported that the project implementation and the selection process of AARON were not compliant under COA and Government Procurement Policy Board rules.

“There is no evidence showing that respondent Suplico exerted efforts to ensure that AARON liquidated the P14,700,000.00 which could only mean that he benefitted from the transaction or that he was grossly negligent,” the Ombudsman resolution read.

“It is emphasized that respondent Suplico is accountable for the funds because he has control and actual custody of the funds as these funds cannot be released without his consent and directives,” it added.

The Ombudsman said investigators found that AARON had been without a business since 2004. Its listed business address is also located in a vacant lot, “casting doubt as to its existence and legitimacy.”

“Such failure/refusal to liquidate the P14,700,000.00 clearly casts doubt as to the validity, propriety and legality of the transaction between respondents, causing undue injury to the government and giving unwarranted benefits, advantage or preference to AARON,” the Ombudsman said. —KBK, GMA News